Ecology Lecture Notes
Introduction to Ecology
- Ecology is the study of how living organisms interact with each other and their environment.
- The main focus is on the relationships and interactions organisms have within ecosystems.
Key Concepts in Ecology
1. Relationships in Ecosystems
- All organisms, such as mice, have relationships with:
- Other organisms (same or different species)
- The non-living environment (e.g., air, soil)
2. Impact of Changes in Ecosystems
- Changes in one part of the ecosystem can influence other parts.
- Example: A decrease in mouse population may lead to less food for predators and diminished soil quality due to reduced burrowing.
Important Terms in Ecology
1. Habitat
- The physical place where an organism lives.
- Example habitats for mice: fields, forests, basements.
2. Population
- All organisms of a specific species living in a habitat.
- Example: All mice living in a field.
3. Community
- All populations of different species living together in one habitat.
- Example community: Mice, owls, plants in a field.
4. Biotic Factors
- Living components of the environment, such as food availability and predators.
5. Abiotic Factors
- Non-living components of the environment, like temperature and soil pH.
- These will be explored further in the next session.
6. Ecosystem
- The interaction of a community of living organisms (biotic factors) with the non-living parts of their environment (abiotic factors).
Processes in Ecosystems
1. Competition
- Organisms compete for limited resources like space, food, water, and mates.
- Competition can happen within a species or between different species.
Key Concept: Interdependence
- The idea that all species depend on others in some form, illustrated by food webs.
- Changes in one species' population can affect many others in the ecosystem.
Example of Ecosystem Change Scenario
- If the mouse population increases:
- Less grass available for other herbivores like rabbits and grasshoppers.
- Potential increase in hawk population due to more food (mice), but moderated by decreased rabbit numbers.
- Indirect effects on other species such as shrews and sparrows due to changes in grasshopper population.
Conclusion
- Understanding ecological relationships and predicting the effects of changes requires grasping these fundamental concepts and terms.
- Real-world implications of such knowledge enable better management and conservation of environments.
Next Steps: Further exploration of biotic and abiotic factors in upcoming sessions.